
The working process on
the new regulations of textbook approval ended at the Ministry of Education and
Science. The new rules were presented by the Minister Shashkini and the
director of the National Curriculum and Assessment Center, Natia Jokhadze to the Public Board members -
parliamentary and non parliamentary political parties, Free Professional
Unions, representatives of different NGOs and unions working on educational issues,
as well as teachers, schoolchildren, parents, principles of schools and the
representatives of publishing houses.
New rules and procedures of textbook approval were developed
by the National Curriculum and Assessment Center to eliminate the blemishes
existing in approving process nowadays. As a result, schools and schoolchildren
will be provided with high quality textbooks.
The procedures of the competition were improved; the criteria
of textbook evaluation methods were rigorously defined and technical parameters
of textbooks including evaluation procedures and methodology were identified.
- The evaluation
group was broadened - Subject matter experts as well as teachers and scientists
will be actively involved in the textbook evaluation process. The final
decision will be made by unified subject board.
- The size of
textbooks, quality of paper, size of
script were defined by technical parameters. The focus will be made on the quality of illustrations
and etc.
- Specific
standardized terms were established and textbooks will be accepted by schools
only after meeting these standards.
- Textbooks evaluation
criteria by teachers were also improved.
The main aim of adopting new rules of textbook approval is
to bring these textbooks in compliance with the goals and objectives of the
national curriculum and improve the quality of education as a whole. It is also
noteworthy that schools will not be able to change approved textbooks for five
years.